Big news for your Saturday morning: The Caps have re-signed forward Lars Eller to a five-year, $17.5 million deal worth an average value of $3.5 million.

Eller is 28-years-old. In the last two seasons, he has scored 23 goals and 30 assists for the Caps in 134 games, creating a steady presence on the third line that at times has been one of the most dependable in the league. Now he’ll be doing that for the next half decade.

From the Caps:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Feb. 10, 2018

Capitals Re-sign Lars Eller

Capitals GM Brian MacLellan will be available to media following today’s practice at Kettler Capitals Iceplex

ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have re-signed center Lars Eller to a five-year, $17.5 million contract extension, with an average annual value of $3.5 million, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today.

Eller, 28, has registered 28 points (11g, 17a) in 53 games this season, which ranks sixth on the Capitals. The 6’2”, 207-pound center is three points shy of setting a new single-season high, set in the 2012-13 season with the Montreal Canadiens. Eller set a career high four-game goal streak (1/7-1/12) and scored five goals in six games (1-7-1/19) during the stretch. In addition, Eller ranks fourth on the team this season with 99 shots and his 102:33 time on the penalty kill ranks second among Capitals forwards this season.

The Capitals acquired Eller from Montreal on June 24, 2016, in exchange for the Capitals’ second round NHL draft picks in 2017 and 2018. The Rodovre, Denmark, native has earned 53 points (23g, 30a) in 133 games with Washington. The Capitals are 32-8-3 all-time when Eller records a point. Drafted by St. Louis in the first round, 13th-overall, in the 2007 draft, Eller has recorded 209 points (96g, 113a) in 576 games with St. Louis, Montreal and Washington. Eller has recorded at least 25 points in each of his last five seasons.